The Soils of The Regional Municipality of Ottawa=Carleton

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The imperfectly drained Rubicon series (Gleyed Humoferric Podzol subgroup) is found on lower slopes and is subject to water saturation for short periods during the growing sea son . Profile characteristics are similar to the Uplands series except for duller matrix colors and the presence of mottles in the B horizons and parent material . Colors of the B horizons tend to be less reddish, and colors ofthe parent materials more grayish then those found in the excessive to well-drained soils. Distinct to prominent, strong brown to yellowish brown mottles also are present in these horizons . A podzolic Bf horizon is present in these soils . The imperfectly drained Ramsayville series (Gleyed Sombric Brunisol subgroup) is also found on lower slopes and is subject to water saturation for short periods during the grow ing season . Profile characteristics are similar to the Rubicon series with two exceptions. First, these soils have Bm or Bfj horizons rather than podzolic Bf horizons, which place them in the Brunisolic soil order. And secondly, these soils usually do not have an eluvial Ae horizon . The poorly drained St . Samuel series (Orthic Humic Gleysol subgroup) is found on level to nearly level topography or in depressions, and is subject to water saturation for much of the growing season . The surface LFH and/or Ah horizons are usually slightly thicker, and have a higher organic matter content than those occurring in the better drained members of the association . The underlying subsoil is olive brown to brown in color grading to a dark grayish brown to olive gray parent material . Occasionally, a discontinuous olive colored eluvial horizon (Aejg, Aegj) is present which varies in thickness but is usually quite thin . Prominent yellowish red to strong brown mottles are common throughout the profile. Structure is single grain . Mapped Soil Combinations Approximately 1,000 ha of Uplands soils were mapped in combination with soils of other associations . Equal proportions were mapped as both dominant and significant components, with Uplands-Jockvale and Kars-Uplands combinations the most extensive. In the latter combination, the U15 landscape unit comprised the significantcomponent . General Land Use Uplands soils are mainly used for hay production, improved pasture, or grazing . At times, cereal grains may be grown in rotation with hay or pasture, but the latter remain the more dominant land uses . Perennial forage crops are grown for hay or improved pasture, but often uncultivated native grasses are relied on for grazing purposes . More intensive agricultural uses, such as continuous corn production, do occur but their extent is quite limited . Correlation to Ottawa Urban Fringe Uplands soils mapped in this survey correlate closely to those found in the Ottawa Urban Fringe. The majority ofUplands soils mapped occur on the same landscape, on or adjacent to the glaciofluvial ridge which extends southward from Gloucester township in Urban Fringe area into Osgoode township. Land Type Descriptions Recent Alluvium (AR) Land areas of this type are composed of soils which have developed on recent alluvial deposits . They occur primarily as flood plains or river bars and are subject to periodic inundation . The alluvial deposits occurring in the area vary considerably in material and profile characteristics which made separation into well defined map units difficult . Layers of sand, silt, and clay as well as organic matter constitute many deposits . Due to this variability, alluvial deposits and representative land units were identified on the basis of their dominant materials only. Drainage of most land units ranges from poor to very poor. Areas of alluvium were mapped as one of two units based on the dominantly occurring material . They are described as follows : AR1 :Dominantly moderately fine to fine textured material most often found on floodplains and subject to periodic inundation . Topography is nearly level with slopes generally less than 2% . AR2 : Dominantly moderately coarse to medium textured material found on floodplains or river bars and subject to periodic inundation . Topography is nearly level to very gently sloping or undulating . Slopes are generally 2% or less . Eroded Channels (ER) Eroded channel landscapes were shown on the soil maps as the symbol "ER". These landscapes are the result of erosion which may have occurred either recently or during past geo logic times. They primarily consist of steeply to very steeply sloping, narrow, continuous landforms which occur as gullies, valley walls, or creekbeds with embankments . The most prominent eroded channels occur as valleywalls which parallel rivers and stream courses . Slopes associated with these landforms are usually steep and short, most often ranging from 20 to 45% . Less prominent eroded channels occur as gullies or creekbed embankments which are usually associated with smaller tributaries . In most cases these smaller channels occur in areas of level marine plains, and have been cut into the surface often to a depth of2 to 5m. Embankments comprising these channels are short and have slopes which are generally not as steep as those found along valley walls . Slopes commonly range from 15 to 45 076 . The downslope movement and slumping of soil materials is a common occurrence in and along many eroded channels, especially those cut into thick deposits of marine clay or sand over clay. When these areas were large enough tomap individually, they were denoted as aLandslide (LD) unit . Some areas mapped as eroded channels may have small areas oflocalized flood plains or recent alluvium within them . These areas were too small to delineate separately at the map scale. Rockland (RK) Rockland areas consist of landscapes in which more than 25% of the surface consists of either exposed bedrock or areas having less than 10 cm ofmineral material over bedrock . Rock landland units which were developed to portray these areas on the soil maps may occur on Paleozoic sedimentary bedrock plains, or they may occur in areas where Precambrian igneous and metamorphic bedrock outcrops at or near the surface . When found on sedimentary bedrock plains, the most extensive areas of Rockland land units are associated with limestone and dolomite bedrock . Less extensive areas are associated with sandstone bedrock . Both of these occurrences, however, account for only a small percentage of the total area of all Rockland units mapped . The largest areas of Rockland land units are associated with Precambrian igneous and metamorphic bedrock outcrops . The most extensive areas ofland units occur on or adjacent to the ridge of granite and gneiss bedrock which outcrops in a northwest to southeast direction in West Carleton Township .
Within Rockland units, significant areas of mineral soils may also occur. Most often these soils consist of moderately coarse to coarse textured undifferentiated drift materials which are less than 50 cm thick over bedrock . Topography in sedimentary bedrock landscapes is most often nearly level to very gently sloping or undulating . In Precambrian bedrock landscapes, the topography is more pronounced, ranging from very gently sloping or undulating to strongly sloping or hummocky. When less than 25% of the surface consisted of exposed bedrock or 10 cm or less of soil materials over bedrock, soil landscape units of the Anstruther, Farmington, or Nepean associations were mapped along with an applicable rockiness phase. Fourunits were established to distinguish Rockland areas . They are described as follows : RKl : Limestone or dolomite bedrock is exposed or occurs very near the surface, constituting 25% or more of the area . Soils of the remainder of the land unit are usually those of the Farmington association, and most often are imperfectly to well-drained . Topography is commonly nearly level to very gently sloping or undulating, with slopes ranging from 1 to 5% . RK2 : Igneous and metamorphic bedrock, primarily granite and gneiss, is exposed or occurs very near the surface and constitutes 25% or more ofthe area. Soils of the remain der of the land unit are usually those of the Anstruther association and are well-drained . Topography ranges from very gently sloping or undulating to strongly sloping or hummocky. Slopes range from 2 to 15%. RK3 : Igneous and metamorphic bedrock, primarily granite and gneiss, is exposed or occurs very nearthe surface and constitutes 25% or more ofthe area . Significant areas of marshland occur in depressional areas of these land units . Soils of the remainder of the unit are those of the Anstruther association and are generally well-drained . Topography ranges from very gently sloping or undulatingto strongly sloping or hummocky. Slopes range from 2 to 15% . RK4 : Sandstone bedrock is exposed at or occurs very near the surface and comprises 2556 or more of the area . Soils comprising the remainder of the land unit are usually those of the Nepean association, and are imperfectly to well-drained . Topography is commonly nearly level to verygently sloping or undulating, and slopes range from Ito5% . Escarpment (X) The escarpment land unit consists of either bedrock, clay, or sand over clay scarps having short steep slopes which impede or negate land use practices. Some escarpment land units are used for agricultural purposes, but management of these areas is more difficult than that applied to similar soils found in landscapes with less steep slopes. Bedrock scarps are found in areas where bedrock occurs closeto the surface. They result fromlocalblock faulting which left steep, vertical bedrock faces exposed at the surface. Com mon occurrences are those associated with limestone and dolomite bedrock plains in Cumberland and West Carleton townships as well as the City of Kanata, and those associated with sandstone bedrock plains also in the City of Kanata . The most pronounced bedrock scarps tend to facenorth and generally parallel the Ottawa River. Surface materials when present in theseareas generally consist of thin, flaggy till-like materials or undifferentiated drift which cover less than 50 01o of the bedrock face . In most cases these scarps border Farmington or Nepean soil landscapes . Clay or sand over clay scarps generally are found along or near the Rideau and Ottawa Rivers as well as abandoned Pre- Ottawa River channels and terraces . They generally consist of long, narrow, continuous landforms which are usually less than 12m in elevation . Clay scarps are composed entirely of clayey material, while sand over clay scarps are comprised of similar materialswhich are overlain by 1 to 3 m of sandy estuarine or fluvial material . Three land typeunits were established to identify the types of escarpments which occur. They are described as follows : XI : Clay escarpments consisting of moderately fine to very fine textured marine material having similar surface textures . Topography consists of moderate to very strong slopes, with slopes ranging from 15 to 45% . X2 : Clay escarpments consisting of moderately fine to very finetextured marine material overlain by a 1 to 3mthick veneer ofmoderately coarse to coarse textured estuarine or fluvial material. Topography consists of moderate to very strong slopes, with slopes commonly ranging from 15to45% . X3 : Sedimentary bedrock scarps found on moderate to very strongly sloping topography, with slopes most often ranging from 15 to 45% . Limestone and dolomite scarps occur more oftenthan sandstone scarps. Miscellaneous Land Unit Descriptions Landslide (LD) Landslide areas consist of soil materials which have moved downslope from higher positions in the landscape . Areas of this type may include a resulting head scarp as well as zones ofmaterial removal and deposition . Landslide units which were mapped were generally found either along active stream banksor along the banks andterrace bluffs of abandoned river or stream channels . Usually these land features were composed of fine textured marine material which attimes wasoverlain by moderately coarse to coarse textured marine or fluvial material . The cause of downslope movement ofmaterial frombanks or terracesin mostinstances can beattributed to unstable, highly sensitive Leda marine clay which constitutes them . Clay of this type is commonly associated with soil materials comprising the Rideau and Bearbrook soil associations. Soil materials, topography, and drainage in landslide areas may vary considerably . Most often the materials consist of tiltedor slumped blocks ofclay which may or may not have interbedded vertical and horizontal layers of sand . Either or both types of material may be present at the surface . The landform primarily consists of head scarps and downslope aprons and fans . Topography associated with the head scarps is usuallygently to moderately sloping, with slopes ranging from 5 to 15% . Topography of the downslope aprons and fans may be nearly level to undulating or irregular, with slopes ranging from 2 to 9% . Drainage ranges from moderately well-drained on the steeper crests and scarps, to poorly drained on the level to depressional lower slopes . The majority ofthe soils of most landslide areas are poorly drained . Most landslide areas mapped occur in close proximity to the Ottawa River. Marshland (ML) The marshland land unit consists of wetland which is periodically or continuously flooded . Much of the area consists of standing water, with the remainder consisting of organic soils
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i The Soils of The III Regional Mun
Page 3 and 4:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . .
Page 5 and 6:
1 . Soil map index for the Regional
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0 t W. CARLETO 10 L 20 km KANATA GO
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Otta!~? Figure 3. Main towns, trans
Page 11 and 12:
Arnprior Chats Falls Almonte " Carp
Page 13 and 14:
may also contain shaly layers . Out
Page 15 and 16:
Till plains (undrumlinized) _ Esker
Page 17 and 18:
Surficial Geology and Relationship
Page 19 and 20:
HUN nnnnoioion miammoo nonmmnon nou
Page 21 and 22:
GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS SOIL ASSOCIATI
Page 23 and 24: GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS SOIL ASSOCIATI
Page 25 and 26: In this survey, boundaries were per
Page 27 and 28: BASIC LAND AREAS SOIL ASSOCIATION -
Page 29 and 30: their agricultural use . The domina
Page 31 and 32: OTTAWA- CARLETON SOILS t TYPE DEPTH
Page 33 and 34: B3 : Dominantlyvery Rego Gleysols p
Page 35 and 36: cant component, approximately 600 h
Page 37 and 38: In some soils, significant layers o
Page 39 and 40: Taxonomic Components The well-drain
Page 41 and 42: Taxonomic Components Four component
Page 43 and 44: Correlation to Ottawa Urban Fringe
Page 45 and 46: The well-drained Orthic Melanic Bru
Page 47 and 48: ial which extends in a northwest-so
Page 51 and 52: all Leitrim soils classified as suc
Page 53 and 54: The imperfectly drained St . Damase
Page 55 and 56: Recognized Recognized Subgroups Ser
Page 57 and 58: Soil Materials North Gower soils co
Page 59 and 60: Figure 17 . A poorly drained Orthic
Page 61 and 62: Figure 25 . Manotick association so
Page 63 and 64: Soil Landscape Units Four units wer
Page 67 and 68: sloping areas, groundwater flow, an
Page 69 and 70: from clay to silty clay loam . In s
Page 73: scapes occurring inclose proximity
Page 77 and 78: A . AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITY CLASSIF
Page 79 and 80: Table 7 . (cont'd) R' : T' : V' : W
Page 81 and 82: adequate moisture or a wetness limi
Page 83 and 84: In order to apply the tables, one m
Page 85 and 86: (e) The Capability Rating Tables Ta
Page 87 and 88: 00 Table 9. (continued) Slope Class
Page 89 and 90: Table 9 . (continued) AGRICULTURAL
Page 91 and 92: Table 9 . (continued) AGRICULTURAL
Page 93 and 94: Soil Landscape Unit Table 10 . Agri
Page 95 and 96: The water erosion formula, A= RKLSC
Page 97 and 98: soil Association Table 13 . K-value
Page 99 and 100: graphic regions . Therefore, the C
Page 101 and 102: Table 17 . continued Crop Rotation
Page 103 and 104: SOIL SOIL MATERIAL DESCRIPTION MAIN
Page 105 and 106: C . LAND SUITABILITY CLASSIFICATION
Page 107 and 108: Table 19 . Land suitability ratings
Page 109 and 110: Table 19 . continued Soil associati
Page 111 and 112: 1 . Marshall, I.B., J. Dumanski, E.
Page 113 and 114: Class Description Sl Slightly stony
Page 115 and 116: Soil Association GRENVILLE Series a
Page 117 and 118: Soil Association Series and (Subgro
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The Soils of The Regional Municipality of Ottawa=Carleton

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